After securing his 2010 Masters win, Phil Mickelson made headlines not just for his performance on the green, but for his laid-back celebration afterward. In a move both humorous and iconic, Mickelson was spotted at a drive-through donut shop donning the prestigious Green Jacket. When asked why, he quipped that he was simply cold and figured the jacket would warm him up. His nonchalant approach made for a lighthearted contrast to the jacket’s profound symbolism.
RORY MCILROY HAS HIS GREEN JACKET! pic.twitter.com/7jZIUk2b6V
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) April 13, 2025
The Green Jacket is much more than just a fashionable item—it stands as the ultimate symbol of golfing excellence. For Rory McIlroy, his 2025 Masters victory was not just another title; it was the final piece in completing his career Grand Slam, a milestone he had long pursued. But while McIlroy now joins the elite few who have achieved this, he faces an emotional twist—he cannot bring the jacket home to celebrate with his family in Northern Ireland.
Augusta National Golf Club, which hosts the Masters Tournament, is known for its deep-rooted traditions and rigid policies. One such rule stipulates that the Green Jacket remains club property. Winners are permitted to keep the jacket in their possession only for one year. After that, it must be returned to Augusta, where it is stored permanently in the Champions Locker Room. Even champions like McIlroy can only wear it when visiting the club again in the future.
During his emotional interview at Butler Cabin, McIlroy spoke with tears in his eyes about how much he looked forward to celebrating with his parents. Their support was instrumental in his career; they had even mortgaged their home to fund his early development in golf. Despite their unwavering dedication and years of support, they won’t be able to physically see or touch the jacket that represents his greatest professional achievement.
Augusta’s commitment to upholding its rules is unwavering. In 2017, the club took legal action against Green Jacket Auctions to prevent the sale of Byron Nelson’s 1966 champion’s jacket and other member jackets. The lawsuit reinforced Augusta’s stance that all jackets, regardless of who holds them, remain the property of the club. This legal precedent emphasizes that champions only have temporary “possessory rights.”
This dedication to preserving tradition has even led to criminal investigations. In 2022, Arnold Palmer’s 1958 Green Jacket was stolen, prompting the FBI to launch a sting operation. The jacket was eventually recovered through a dramatic operation involving a mansion stakeout and secretly recorded conversations. Richard Globensky, a former warehouse employee at Augusta National, was found guilty of stealing over $5.4 million worth of Masters memorabilia over 13 years. He was sentenced to one year in prison in 2025. Incidents like these only reinforce how seriously Augusta takes the protection of its prized traditions.
Because of these rules, McIlroy’s parents will most likely only see him wearing the jacket via video calls during the year he has access to it. After that, even the brief connection to their son’s greatest golfing moment will be gone. This poignant reality casts a shadow on what was otherwise a historic victory.
So, where did the Green Jacket tradition originate? The story dates back to the 1930s. Bobby Jones, the co-founder of Augusta National, was inspired after seeing club captains wearing red jackets at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club during the Open Championship. When Jones returned to Georgia, he decided to create a similar tradition for Augusta. By 1937, Augusta members began wearing green jackets, chosen to reflect the lush greenery of the former nursery land where the club sits.
Originally, the jackets were intended to help spectators identify club members who could offer assistance. The tradition of presenting them to tournament champions began in 1949, starting with Sam Snead. Past winners were later retroactively given jackets as well. Each jacket is made in Cincinnati by the Hamilton Tailoring Company, using a distinct shade known as Pantone 342 or “Masters green.” The creation process for each jacket takes about a month.
A particularly memorable moment in Green Jacket history came in 1966 when Jack Nicklaus became the first player to win the Masters two years in a row. Normally, the previous year’s champion helps the new winner into the jacket. But with Nicklaus repeating, there was no one to present it. So, he simply slipped it on himself, with Bobby Jones’s approval, in what became an iconic self-jacketing moment.
However, not everyone has followed the rules. In 1961, Gary Player, the first international winner of the Masters, famously refused to return his jacket. When Augusta chairman Clifford Roberts asked for it back, Player replied that Roberts would have to come get it himself. This rebellious act prompted the club to begin enforcing the return policy more strictly.
Today, McIlroy is among only 54 men to ever win the Masters. Though he can’t keep the jacket permanently, his name is now etched into golf history. He joins an elite list of just six players to have completed the career Grand Slam. Even if the jacket remains at Augusta, the emotional and professional significance of the victory will stay with McIlroy for life.
Whether Augusta National will ever consider relaxing its Green Jacket policies is uncertain. While the rules reflect a deep respect for tradition, they can also create personal and emotional limitations for the champions. For now, the jacket remains a symbol of excellence—one that must stay behind, even when its story travels the world.